Relationship and Sex Education

Sixth Form RSE

Our fully bespoke RSE Programme of Study for Sixth Form RSE is brand new for 2023-2024.

The lesson topics were chosen following feedback from a student and staff voice at the end of the 2022-2023 academic year. Lesson topic areas cover the statutory requirements and beyond and begin with relationships before moving onto sex, as we believe relationships should come before sex.

Features of the bespoke Sixth Form RSE Programme include:

• A strong emphasis on local case studies/contextual safeguarding:
  • Operation Sanctuary Serious Case Review
  • Alice Ruggles
  • ‘Rough sex’ tragedies
  • Ed Farmer
• Current issues covered (not given in statutory guidance) such as:
  • Catfishing
  • Incels
  • Cyber-stalking
  • Male Domestic Abuse
  • Stealthing
  • Rough Sex
  • Upskirting
  • Initiation Ceremonies
  • Deepfake Porn
  • Revenge Porn
  • Sexual Harassment and Violence in Schools
• Year 12 has an emphasis on equality, diversity and following our recent OFSED report, racism, sexism and homophobia.
• Year 12s largest unit is on ‘Harassment and Consent’, where knowledge gained in KS3 and KS4 is broadened to include sexual harassment in the workplace.
• Year 13 covers the most mature topics such as Operation Sanctuary, Prostitution, Miscarriage, Honour-Based Violence and FGM, as well as an age-appropriate emphasis on Pornography.
• In Year 13, FGM is taught in Weeks 25 and 26, ahead of what NSPCC calls ‘Cutting Season’ where girls are most likely to suffer FGM.
• An increased focus on debate and signposting to support.

RSE Programme of Study Sixth Form 2023-2024

Year 7-11 RSE 

RSE for Years 7-11 at St Cuthbert’s is split into two sections over the course of the year.

Part 1 is a bespoke programme covering the key topics needed for our pupils/students to form healthy relationships and keep safe (Weeks 2-9). Part 2 will use resources coming from Ten:Ten’s ‘Life to the Full’ package (Weeks 10-39).

St Cuthbert's Catholic High School RSE Programme of Study Years 7-11

All RSE lessons begin with staff reading the six ground rules and a safeguarding slide which constantly signposts the boys to help in school. In the near future parents/carers will have access to a 'Parent Portal' on Ten:Ten's website where you will be able to see what your son has studied (use the document above to map content) and have access to documents/videos to further enhance his learning.

Ten Ten’s RSE programme, Life to the Full, teaches RSE within the context of a Christian understanding of human sexuality rooted in the wisdom and teaching of the Catholic Church. We deliver this teaching through the prism of Catholic RSE. The framework of our programme is taken from the Model Catholic RSE Programme by the Catholic Education Service, which has been highlighted by the Department of Education as a work of good practice.   Life to the Full will address the needs of young people where they are at in today’s world. The teaching includes lessons on:

• Puberty
• Personal Hygiene
• Fertility
• Menstruation
• Family & Friends
• Sexual Intimacy
• Delaying sex
• The human body
• Sexuality
• Marriage
• Gender
• Online relationships
• Social Media
• Consent
• Grooming
• Pressure
• STI’s
• Contraception & Natural Family Planning
• Abortion/Miscarriage
• The effect of drugs & alcohol on relationships
• Pornography
• Sexual Exploitation  

The programme is fully inclusive of all students and the content is age related.

Further Information about RSE at St Cuthbert’s

In addition to Parts 1 and 2 of our RSE programme, we have plans for the following:

• Drop-down lessons on protected characteristics- Dates TBC
• Personal Development Days- Dates TBC
• Week 5- Black History Month Assemblies
• Week 10- Anti-Bullying Week
• Week 35- LGBTQ+ Awareness Week

RSE lessons which were delivered in extended periods of Form Time during Week 1 included: Racism and Homophobia, What are the protected characteristics? What impact does unconscious bias have on gender stereotypes? Why is it wrong to discriminate over gender reassignment?

All pupils in Years 7-11 will have five assessment checkpoints throughout the academic year.

We are proud to have shared our successful RSE model and original ideas with other schools.

We support parent's right to withdraw, but would before a final decision was made we would like to open a dialogue and discuss any issues/worries you might have as we see the RSE lessons as a very important part of your son's education.

Government Advice on RSE Lessons

RSE lessons are also proving popular with the students, some of whom gave us the following responses to a pupil voice:

The new activities help me to understand new terms and it helps me respect more people’s gender and religion."

Year 8 Pupil

I think they are good as they allow people to express their thoughts, feelings and opinions on important subjects we need to know about."

Year 8 Pupil

I like the new activities…they also teach me how to be safe."

Year 9 Pupil